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Ivan Zhakata Court Reporter
ZANU-PF councillor for Ward 46 in Tafara-Mabvuku Luckmore Mangava has been taken to the Civil Court by his mother-in-law for neglecting his child following his wife’s death.
Mavis Gandiwa (71) told Harare Civil Court magistrate Mrs Ruth Kamangira on Tuesday that his son-in-law has failed to provide for his 10-year-old daughter, resulting in her dropping out of school.
Gandiwa, who was demanding $120 for the child’s upkeep, said Mangava stopped fending for the child in 2011 after her daughter passed away.
“He is failing to take care of his child and she is no longer going to school because I cannot afford to pay the school fees since I am a widow,” she said.
“He is a Zanu-PF councillor for Ward 46 Tafara-Mabvuku but has never forked out even a single cent towards the upkeep of his daughter. Right now his daughter is living like a destitute but her father is alive,” Gandiwa said.
She also revealed that Mangava did not pay lobola for her late daughter.
Gandiwa did not have kind words for Mangava whom she accused of being a womaniser with eight wives and sever al children that he was failing to provide for.
Mangava offered $30 for his daughter’s upkeep.
He told the court that he does not have a basic salary and only survives through Government allowances of $290 a month.
“I am a councillor and I do not have a basic salary but an allowance of $290 per month,” Mangava said.
“I am married with six children and I think $30 is enough for her since I do not realise that much.
“My parents passed away and I am the breadwinner taking care of my siblings.”
Magistrate Kamangira ordered Mangava to pay $50 for the upkeep of his daughter and be grateful that his mother-in-law is taking care of his child on his behalf.
Online Reporter